Positive Changes in South African Visa Requirements for Film Makers & Crews

Recently introduced legislation has relaxed South African visa requirements, making it easier and more accessible for international clients to bring their business to South Africa.

This positive outcome for the South African film industry was reached in an Agreement between the Department of Home Affairs and film industry bodies in December.

The Agreement takes into consideration two categories of travellers to South Africa: the Oversight Group (i.e. client, agency and production company personnel) and the Specialist Group (i.e actors, models, directors, technicians and the art department).

Oversight Group – Client, Agency and Production Company Personnel

According to the agreement, the ‘Oversight Group’ from visa exempt countries can travel to South Africa without pre-applying at a South African Embassy or Consulate and will be allowed entry by presenting the relevant form, their travel itinerary and a letter from the S.A. Production Company to the immigration officials at the airport, their passports will then be endorsed with the relevant authorisation.

The ‘Specialist Group’ must still apply, in advance, to their local South African Embassy or Consulate,, but requirements are now streamlined to the relevant form, travel itinerary and the letter from the S.A. Production Company.